Confidential documents obtained from inside Tulsi Gabbard’s affiliated faith group reveal a previously undisclosed network of influence and strategic direction shaping her political career. The internal memos, emails, and communications highlight the significant role played by spiritual leader Chris Butler, associated with the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF), in advising and steering Gabbard’s legislative proposals, public statements, media conduct, and online presence during her time in Congress and beyond.
The files, encompassing thousands of pages, include detailed instructions reportedly penned or dictated by Butler, who maintained strict anonymity throughout the operation. Linguistic analyses suggest Butler himself was the primary author of many memos, some of which contained sharp critiques of Gabbard’s public performances and policy positions. For instance, one memo from early 2015 criticized her response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address as “intellectually lazy,” while others described her with unflattering labels after policy discussions.
Central to the revelations is the extent of a covert social media campaign managed by members of the Science of Identity Foundation. This operation involved hundreds of pseudonymous accounts with fabricated biographies and imagery on platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and Medium. These profiles were used to promote and defend Gabbard online, strategically blending supportive comments with neutral posts to evade detection by journalists and critics. Gabbard is reported to have engaged directly in group chats coordinating these efforts, providing guidance on comment moderation and messaging, particularly in relation to controversies such as her alleged support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The campaign was overseen by Butler, who was identified by insiders as the figure nicknamed “S.” Internal communications show detailed reporting on social media activities sent back to him, reflecting a highly organized and secretive operation designed to bolster Gabbard’s public image and political standing. These tactics extended to coordinated political messaging, including attacks on other politicians like then-Secretary of State John Kerry, and management of media appearances, with memos advising Gabbard on when to issue apologies or alter her public posture following challenging interviews.
The investigation exposes a complex intertwining of spiritual mentorship and political ambition, raising questions about transparency and the influence of religious organizations on elected officials. Sources from former SIF members describe Butler’s leadership style as intensely secretive, favoring verbal instructions recorded by aides rather than written directives, further complicating efforts to trace decision-making processes.
Gabbard’s political journey, marked by dramatic shifts from socially conservative Democrat to progressive contender, Fox News contributor, MAGA Republican, and eventually Trump administration director of national intelligence, is contextualized within this hidden network of control and guidance.
Efforts to obtain detailed comments from Gabbard and representatives of the Science of Identity Foundation were met with general denials, accusations of bias, and limited responses, with Gabbard’s team condemning the reporting for promoting hostility toward her Hindu faith.
These findings offer a rare glimpse into the covert mechanisms by which spiritual allegiance and political strategy intersect, shedding new light on one of the most unconventional careers in recent American politics and prompting ongoing discussions about the boundaries between personal faith, political influence, and public accountability.